Firearms Charges Filed Against Three Men

Three men were indicted on federal firearms charges, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Joshua Burgess, age 21, of Niles, Ohio, was charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment charges that on or about October 28, 2012, Burgess possessed a Rossi, .22 caliber revolver and ammunition, after he had been previously convicted of burglary in the Trumbull County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas.

Donte Butcher, age 24, of Ravenna, Ohio, was charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The indictment charges that on or about June 12, 2012, Butcher possessed a Cobra Enterprises, model FS380, .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a Glock, model 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and ammunition, after he had been previously convicted of felonious assault in the Portage County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas.

Harold Travis, age 44, of Warren, Ohio, was charged with one count each of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession with the intent to distribute heroin.

The indictment charges that on or about June 18, 2012, Travis possessed a Glock, Model 19, 9mm pistol, a Remington, Model 870, 12 gauge shotgun, four rounds of Remington 9mm ammunition; five rounds of Winchester 9mm ammunition; two rounds of Remington 12 gauge ammunition and two rounds of Winchester 12 gauge ammunition. This came after he had been previously convicted of robbery and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the Michigan Third Judicial Circuit Court, and with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio.

The indictment further charges that on or about June 18, 2012, Travis possessed with the intent to distribute approximately 14.9 grams of heroin.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigations preceding the indictments were conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Youngstown Field Office, the Austintown Police Department, the Ravenna Police Department and the United States Marshal Service’s Violent Fugitive Task Force. The matters are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David M. Toepfer.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.